Youyang

Set deep in the Wuling Mountains, Youyang combines the idyllic atmosphere of the Peach Blossom Spring with historic towns along the Wu River. With relatively few visitors, it is a good place to slow down over a weekend or short holiday and explore mountain scenery, rivers and old towns.

• Youyang Peach Blossom Spring: This national 5A-rated attraction evokes the utopian world described by Tao Yuanming. It includes Taigu Cave, the Peach Blossom Spring retreat and Youzhou Ancient Town. Taigu Cave is a 3-kilometer-long karst cave, and the scenic area also suits leisurely walks or photos in traditional-style Chinese clothing.

• Gongtan Ancient Town: With 1,800 years of history, this town follows the contours of the mountainside and riverbank. Its clusters of riverside stilt houses are the main attraction. Entry to the town is free. Visit early to photograph mist over the river, or enjoy the lights along the waterfront after dark.

• Dieshi Flower Valley: This national 4A-rated attraction combines 500-million-year-old Cambrian stromatolites with shamanic Nuo culture. Its Twelve Moon Deity Pillars, giant stone faces and seasonal flower displays create a landscape with a mysterious atmosphere.

• Changpu Grassland: Set in the mountains at over 1,400 meters above sea level, this grassland is free to enter. White wind turbines and a rainbow-colored road stand among open meadows, making it a pleasant place to linger for sunset.

Classic 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Take a morning high-speed train from Chongqing to Youyang Station, a journey of about 2 hours. Transfer to a dedicated shuttle and allow 3 hours to explore Youyang Peach Blossom Spring. In the afternoon, travel by road to Gongtan Ancient Town, about 1.5 hours away. Watch the sunset over the Wu River from the riverbank, then explore the town and try Wu River fish. Stay overnight in a riverside stilt-house guesthouse.
• Day 2: At 6:30 a.m., photograph the morning mist and river views in the old town, then take a boat trip through the Wu River Gallery. Stay in town for lunch and try Gongtan mung bean noodles, a local food recognized as intangible cultural heritage. In the afternoon, travel back to Youyang's county town, with an optional stop at Dieshi Flower Valley or Nanmu Bay along the way. Finish the trip and begin your return journey in the early evening.

Relaxed 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Travel from Chongqing to Youyang and explore Youzhou Ancient Town in the afternoon. Watch a Tujia hand-waving dance performance in the evening and stay overnight in the county town.
• Day 2: Visit Changpu Grassland for alpine meadows, wind turbines and sunset views. In the early evening, head to Gongtan Ancient Town to check in, then explore the town on foot after dark.
• Day 3: Walk around Gongtan Ancient Town early in the morning, then take a morning boat trip through the Wu River Gallery. Return to the county town at midday for the Tujia Eight Bowls feast, then begin your return journey in the afternoon.

Local Food in Youyang

Transport and Accommodation

• Transport:
  • High-speed rail: Take a high-speed train from Chongqing North or Chongqing West Station to Youyang Station, a journey of about 2 hours. From the station, dedicated shuttles run directly to Peach Blossom Spring or Gongtan Ancient Town.
  • Driving: The drive from central Chongqing to Youyang via the Chongqing–Hunan Expressway takes about 4–4.5 hours and gives you more control over your sightseeing schedule. There are winding mountain roads between Gongtan Ancient Town and the county town, so pay attention to road conditions.
• Accommodation:
  • Gongtan Ancient Town: Riverside stilt-house guesthouses cost around 200–300 yuan per night. Choose a room on the second floor or higher for Wu River views from your window and easy access to morning river-mist photography. Ground-floor rooms tend to be damp, and the town's stone-paved lanes make wheeled luggage difficult to pull.

• Youyang County Town: Hotels here generally have more complete facilities and offer good value, with Peach Blossom Spring nearby. Consider staying here if you are driving or need to rest on your first day.

Tickets and Travel Tips

• Attraction tickets: Tickets for Peach Blossom Spring can be bought online in advance for around 85 yuan, usually less than the price at the entrance. Entry to Gongtan Ancient Town is free, but combined tickets for its small courtyards and boat tickets must be purchased separately.
• Boat bookings: Wu River Gallery boat tickets cost around 158 yuan on-site. Booking through a guesthouse owner in the old town can usually bring the price down to around 100 yuan.
• Footwear: The old town has flagstone lanes, while Taigu Cave has many steps and wet, slippery surfaces. Wear comfortable flat shoes or trainers rather than high heels.
• Warm layers and sun protection: Changpu Grassland's high elevation means temperatures are 6–8°C lower than in the county town, so bring a light jacket. The cave is also cool inside, and a windbreaker can be useful. Strong UV exposure also makes sun protection important.
• Local etiquette: The area is home to Tujia and Miao communities. When entering a resident's home or a guesthouse, step over the threshold rather than on it, and do not hang clothes to dry on the tripod over the hearth.